Apple updates iPhone OS

Apple has posted an iPhone firmware update that, it claims, delivers improved battery analysis on the 3GS, while also fixing bugs.

Version 3.1.3 – also compatible with the iPod Touch – improves the 3GS’ ability to detect how much battery power it has left, Apple said.

The update – which supersedes version 3.1.2, released back in October – also fixes a bug that prevented third-party applications from opening and another that caused applications to crash inexplicably when using the Japanese Kana keyboard.

Weighing in at 228MB, version 3.1.3 also makes a “security change” to Apple’s CoreAudio sound software.

A “memory corruption issue” that could potentially allow someone with physical access to a locked to iPhone to access its data has also been fixed, Apple said.

Apple last week issued a pre-release version of iPhone OS 3.2 to registered iPhone software developers. This iteration incorporates the new features that the iPad brings to the table, such as support for larger display sizes, pop-up menus and richer text presentation.

Apple will presumably update existing iPhones to 3.2 in March when the first iPads go on sale.

In the meantime, the 3.1.3 update can be downloaded now for free through iTunes. Further information about the update’s security contents is available online.

Jailbroken iPhone owners should remember that none of the popular tools for doing so – Blackra1n, et al – are yet compatible with version 3.1.3. Check out the iPhone Dev Team’s website for more information. ®